Posts tagged ‘Emmy Award’

Hair color is another form of self-expression and adds a “pop” to your overall look. That’s probably the only part of me that hasn’t seen a hue outside of black! When I do decide to take that leap, I will most likely reach out to Clairol Professional Celebrity Colorist Kiyah Wright, who has hair coloring and extensions down to a science! Coming fresh off the Bronner Bros. Convention in Atlanta, I had the opportunity to get the scoop on this fashion forward, hair artist.

1. Congratulations on hosting an education seminar on hair color and extensions at the Bronner Bros. Convention! What did attendees have the opportunity to learn from you?

I showcased the fun color trends from summer that are transitioning into fall, and revealed how to add color without compromising the integrity of your hair with tips on how to keep your hair healthy in the interim.

2. How should someone with natural hair ease into color?

Starting out gradually is best. Resist the urge to go up higher than five levels and then see how the hair responds over the next 4-6 months with weekly deep conditioning treatments and less use of heat tools.

3. What color do you love on your own hair? Is there a color you haven’t tried yet but want to?

I personally love Clairol Professional because it’s a household name that is easy to find in stores, simple to use, and best of all, gentle on ethnic hair. I have had pretty much every hair color in the book!

4. How do extensions help your hair?

Extensions really help to give your hair a break from hot tools, relaxers and hair color. Most of all, it really helps women to stay healthy because they’re not as deterred from going to the gym. They can curl the extension hair every day after working out without worrying about breakage.

5. What do you enjoy most about being a hair stylist?

I love having the ability to change someone’s life for the better- it’s that serious. Most of the time, when people want to make a change, they start with their hair. It brings me so much joy to see my clients leave my chair happy.

I came up with the name Muze because I feel I have been an inspiration to a lot of people, and most of all, because my clients have really inspired me by allowing me to be creative. That’s huge for me and I hold them with high regard.

7. What are some of the hottest hair trends right now?

Hair color, extensions, and shaving the sides of the head in some style.

8. Which hair tool and product is a must have?

My flat iron and leave-in conditioner!

9. Do you feel hair and fashion intersect?

Hair can’t stand alone without fashion. I just hosted a “Summer Solstice” event which met at the intersection of beauty and fashion because it’s all about the total look. The hair, makeup and clothing create the entire package.

10. How did you build your celebrity clientele?

P. Diddy got me started! I worked with his artists. But I really feel it was my passion and tremendous love for hair that kept me current in the industry.

11. In your opinion, what is the future of hair?

The future of hair is forever evolving. Every season, fashion dictates the direction of hair and as long as fashion evolves, so will hair.

12. What are you most proud of during you career span in hair styling?

Winning two Emmys was an amazing accomplishment for me! I’m also very proud of being able to make a real career out of hairstyling.

13. If you weren’t a hair stylist, what would you be doing?

I would probably pursue management of artists, such as musicians or other creative people.

14. What separates you from all other celebrity hair stylists?

I think my attention to detail and having a tremendous love and attention for being a dedicated hair stylist. This is my career and I try to be a leader and teacher- this is a gift from above.

15. What advice would you give someone that wants to become a hair stylist?

Find your niche in hairstyling and excel at it!

16. What are 3 important hair tips everyone should know?

For ethnic hair, be sure to sleep on a pillow case.

Consult your stylist before coloring your own hair.

Condition your hair regularly.

About Kiyah Wright

Clairol Professional is thrilled to have two-time Emmy Award-winning celebrity hair stylist and colorist Kiyah Wright on board in her most recent role as a celebrity colorist for the professional haircolor brand. Kiyah’s hair genius not only sets precedent for image-making, but redefines the appearance of sexy, successful, and confident women. Kiyah is a fashion powerhouse with expertise ranging from signature hair designs to overall beauty transformations. As a charismatic visionary, she established her mark in the industry and continues to inspire with cutting edge developments and groundbreaking achievements. She aims to bring awareness and knowledge to the proper care of “blended” or textured hair, and believes that “behind every gorgeous celebrity is a fabulous hair stylist.”

As a teenager, Kiyah met entertainment mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and quickly found herself at the hub of a life-changing experience when “Diddy” gave her her big break. Having developed her natural talent at the early age of 14, Kiyah quickly mastered the arts of style, color, cuts, hair weaving and full imaging and has since gone on to work with top artists such as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Tyra Banks, Iman, Brandy, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Hudson, Kerry Washington and Taraji P. Henson.

Kiyah’s work is frequently featured on-camera on hit television shows such as The Tyra Show, America’s Next Top Model, America’s Got Talent, and BET’s “My Black Is Beautiful.” She also made guest appearances on Style Her Famous, Shear Genius, MTV’s “Hired” and frequently provides hair and beauty tips on AOL” Daily Solutions” webisodes. Kiyah’s work is celebrated in the editorial world and can be seen in Glamour, Vanity Fair, Elle, Essence and Vogue, and when not on-set, she works with a loyal client base at the highly celebrated Warren-Tricomi Salon in Los Angeles.

We are three episodes in and one of the best tests of compatibility and willingness to work with others is center stage on this show early on while designers are still getting to know each other. The challenge was to create an Emmy dress to be worn by past Project Runway contestants and the fabric had to be influenced by the color of a new Lexus car. It’s more exciting to have partners picked randomly, so when each person grabbed a key to a car, there was a matching key for another person and that would be your partner.

The matchups were interesting, especially Buffi and Elena. Right out the gate Elena said she doesn’t like to work with anyone. Have you watched the past 9 seasons!?! It’s going to happen so adjust and deal with it. The past contestants chosen as the client were: April, Laura, Mila, Anya, Kenley, Irina and Valerie. I was excited to see Anya and Valerie, but the others I could care less. Why bring on April and Mila who like black and grays and won’t have much of a wow factor? Kenley’s voice is just annoying and Irina is mean and snooty. I don’t think I watched much of Season 3 when Laura was on, so I’m indifferent about her.

The clients did have a voice in creating the vision of the dress they wanted, but many didn’t execute accurately. Also, when I look at the Emmy’s red carpet there is a lot of eye-popping looks. A lot of the dresses missed that important factor too. Let’s talk about those looks first.

Alicia & Raul – Mila

Mila in the dress designed by Alicia and Raul

This pair together was two people who only make menswear. They got Mila as their client and instead of doing a pantsuit that she could at least look polished with clean lines and impeccable tailoring, they ventured to the wild side and decided to take a chance and make a gown. And instead of listening to the client and what she wants, they pick a pattern instead of a solid. Hello, are you trying to impress Mila or set her up to crash and burn? Mila looked so frumpy and hideous that I wouldn’t have walked down the runway in that non-Emmy gown. It was ill-fitted and the v-neck cut was way too high. And the hair weave didn’t do anything for the look but make it worse – FAIL!

Christopher & Andrea – Anya

Anya in a dress designed by Christopher and Andrea

It was great to see Anya back on the show and I loved her colorful zig-zag dress she had on once she was revealed as a client. I wasn’t sure how the pairing would be between Christopher and Andrea, but it took a turn for the worse as Andrea was very slow doing her part and taking 12 hours to do one piece. That really took a toll on Christopher and he kept trying to be nice and not say it, but on the runway he finally let loose and complained about her work. As soon as it started happening, Christopher should have spoke up and nipped it in the bud. I was surprised that Anya picked brown as the color of her dress when she is such a vibrant, bright person I thought maybe a yellow or pink or royal blue would have looked better on her. Another dress gone bad that looked like a prom project with a very bad upper body design.

Buffi & Elena – Laura

Laura in a dress designed by Elena and Buffi

So we already know Elena doesn’t like to work with anybody. Then to make matters worse, she feels partnering with Buffi isn’t the best fit either. It seemed like Elena wanted to do everything so it would be perfect and just leave Buffi in the background as the iron lady. I don’t recall what Laura wanted, but the end result was another black dress – YAWN! It was OK for me, not a showstopper at all. Laura would fade out at the Emmy’s and it wouldn’t be memorable.

Gunnar & Kooan – Irina

Irina in a dress designed by Gunnar and Kooan

When I saw that Irina was one of the clients, I felt bad for whoever was going to work with her because she is a snappy, snooty, difficult person to work for. I felt worse that Gunnar and Kooan were the lucky recipients of her wrath because she didn’t hold back and was already talking to them like minions. She was very clear about what she wanted which is fine, but get your point across with class and not sass. Gunnar wasn’t happy with her since she was hard to work with and Kooan didn’t even know what to say when she got mad about the stitching in the back of the dress. Irina will crack a whip any day and you don’t want to be in the way. Her dress was alright, but again, it would be looked over at the Emmy’s. Of course when asked how she liked the dress she was going to mention the sewing could be better. Irina, what are you up to now?

Nathan & Sonjia – Valerie

Valerie in a dress designed by Sonjia and Nathan

I was happy to see Valerie return to the show and glad she got Sonjia and Nathan as designers. Finally we had two people who know what type of fabric to use for the Emmy’s! I loved what they picked for her dress and the cut in the front was sexy but classy. The back could’ve been done up a little more, but this was truly the first dress I saw that I would have pinned as a wow factor. Valerie is a pretty girl, but her hair was looking gray and her makeup a little bland. Glam her up folks!

Fabio & Ven – Kenley

Kenley wearing the winning design by Fabio & Ven

Going into this show we all knew Ven would be immune from elimination and whoever was paired with him would probably be safe. Kenley is another person that knows what she wants and the vintage but modern style is her look. Her dress was the winning design, but it wasn’t Emmy-esque. I could see her dress being worn to an awards luncheon or the Kentucky derby. As the winning look, the designer who created the dress would accompany her to the Emmys. One look at this dress and you know Ven was all over it. He has continued to impress me and I hope to see something different from him.

After watching this episode, there are a few things I have to point out to designers who want to be on this show:

Be ready to partner with someone who may have a totally different aesthetic than you, but be open to working together to complete the end goal.

It’s great if you specialize in one type of look, but be versed in others especially if you are only good at menswear. The show mostly focuses on clothes for women, so it would be nice if you knew how to make a dress and gown.